da bet7k: Ever since Slaven Bilic was first appointed as the new manager of West Ham United this summer, the Hammers have subsequently been linked with a whole host of exciting transfer targets – some of which remain far less likely to take place than others.
da casino: Perhaps such an eventuality was always going to take place for the east-enders in the club’s last ever season at the Boleyn Ground, for the 2015/16 campaign will certainly go down as a special one for the Upton Park faithful regardless of the overall outcome.
So then, when West Ham found themselves linked with current CSKA Moscow striker and Ivory Coast international – Seydou Doumbia – in recent weeks, the news didn’t exactly arrive in the most surprising fashion. While the 27-year-old is currently playing in the Russian capital on loan from AS Roma, the experienced front-man can in-fact make another move this January if he so wishes.
However, even though the powerful centre-forward’s name alone would likely make for decent reading in and around the Hammers’ starting XI this term, do West Ham really need Seydou Doumbia right now, or would the Ivorian simply represent just another fringe player who ultimately fails to make the grade at Upton Park?
Well, considering his prior reputation among the European scene, perhaps Bilic really should be considering the services of Seydou Doumbia this January. The current CSKA man has always been a powerful asset in front of goal, his hold-up play within the final third often proves greatly impressive – and although the former BSC Young Boys striker doesn’t display the greatest range of technical ability across the entire pitch – the art of finishing is where Doumbia truly comes to the forefront.
The Ivorian international has successfully put away a series of nice finishes among the Russian Premier Liga and the Champions League this season, arguably proving that his rather forgettable stint in Serie A last term didn’t quite do his overall game justice. Roma are ultimately yet to see the best from the 27-year-old in their colours – but as the Italians could well part ways with the front-man for a knock-down price in light of his past form at the Stadio Olimpico – West Ham would potentially be wise to act as soon as possible.
There are however a few slight problems surrounding this particular deal that Bilic should at least consider. Whilst every Premier League side wants to improve each time a transfer window passes by among the English top-flight, the Hammers already have the likes of Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll, Mauro Zarate, Nikica Jelavic and Enner Valencia (when the Ecuadorian returns from injury) to count upon up-top this term.
With summer signings Victor Moses and Michail Antonio also looking to fill up some of the attacking slots in Bilic’s starting XI, the level of competition for places is already rife down at Upton Park in 2015/16, even in light of the club’s recent injury woes.
Yes, the signing of Doumbia could well improve Bilic’s striking options considerably this January, but the Croatian tactician must make sure he can balance the harmony within his current squad to continue his team’s fine form this season. The 27-year-old CSKA Moscow striker may bring a level of top-flight European experience to the Hammers changing room that could well prove invaluable, but the Ivorian would still have to earn his place within the team to maintain a sense of cohesion at Upton Park in 2015/16.
Yet whilst every high profile transfer in the modern era seemingly arrives with its fair share considerations to take on board – there are ultimately very few Premier League sides currently operating at the minute, that wouldn’t be improved by the potential signing of Seydou Doumbia. When it comes to scoring goals a frequent enough rate, this man simply looks more than capable.
So then, whilst his past record isn’t entirely flawless by any accounts, Doumbia just seems like he’d fit in perfectly among the English top-flight, much like countryman – Wilfired Bony – did when he first signed for Swansea City back in 2013. If West Ham don’t have to pay over the odds to land the striker in January, this is just the kind of move the Hammers should be looking at in order to help take their club even further up the Premier League table, and perhaps even break those all-important top-four spots in the not too distant future…
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